Austin City Council

10:17 am

Thu August 22, 2013

Creating criteria for which charities will receive free Google Fiber access is one of the 126 items on the Austin City Council agenda today.

Wells Dunbar, KUT News

The Austin City Council convenes today to another crowded agenda. Here’s a rundown:

Sound off on the proposed city budget, property taxes and fees

Lots of council action won’t happen until much later today: Several public hearings are set for this afternoon related to City Manager Marc Ott’s proposed city budget, which the council is currently discussing. There’s public hearings on the proposed property tax rate, Austin Energy and Austin Water rates, and additional proposed fee increases (trash, drainage, etc.)

The council may expand a program helping music venues reduce their sound impact

The program gives locally-owned venues microloans to help them install technology and make architectural changes to serve as sound buffers. The idea is to work with venues that are complying with city code but still receive noise complaints. The maximum loan would be $35,000 and would have to be paid back with interest within three years.

Changes to terms for the first 10-1 council

Austin voters approved a change to geographic council representation last year. But voters also decided to move city council elections from May to November. That requires the current council to make some changes to city ordinances – including changing the start-date for the new council members from June to December.

And as voters also approved staggered terms for the new council – elections every two years, ensuring council seats doesn’t turn over all at once – council is also set to approve “clean up” language stating that when 10 new council members are elected next November, half will serve just two-year terms instead of four-year terms.

“That just puts in some generic language that allows the new elected council to determine who’s going to get the shorter term of office,” says city clerk Jannette Goodall. The council is expected to meet behind closed doors on Thursday to talk about the election changes.

Also on the agenda: council members will also talk about the criteria for public organizations and non-profits in the city to receive free Google Fiber internet service. View a list of the criteria the council is considering. (Update: The Google Fiber item passed as part of council's consent agenda.)

Additionally, the “Taco PUD” apartment development proposed on the site of the South Lamar Taco Cabana, returns for additional readings and likely approval.

And that’s just part of the 126 item agenda. Watching the council today? Let us know what you’re keeping an eye on in the comments section below.